Friday, August 3, 2001

Lori Schwanhausser

Wilton Y Wahoos

Day 4: Well, today is the last day of my Y National career. Though it is sad that I will never be able to experience the uniqueness of this meet ever again, I am surprisingly content with moving on to the next chapter of my life. This morning, my team’s 200 Freestyle relay qualified ninth for finals: a slight disappointment. However, I realized that even though we would not be able to score the points we would have liked, it was not the end-all of the meet. I have found that even though our team has not placed as high as we would have liked this week, we all swam incredibly and had fun in the process. For a while now, it has seemed like my team has been stuck in a ditch of frustration with our swimming. However, throughout this meet, we have begun to realize that the key to this sport is not based solely on swimming; rather, the relationships that are built and the memories that are made are essential as well. As I look back on my years with the Wahoos, I remember the amazing people I learned to love, and the many memories, both tragic and hilarious, that I have made with those people. I have learned so much about my relationships and myself with others through my involvement on my team. And I am so proud to have had the honor of being able to learn from those I idolized, and then being that leader that others could look up to. When I leave in a month for Northwestern University, I know that I will go prepared to not only tap into a new pot of gold in my swimming career, but also build relationships that, like those with the Wahoos, will last forever. And I know that without the times I went through for the past eight years on my team, I would not be able to get the most out of my college years.

To all of those who are younger than I, who still have the privilege of taking part in this meet for years to come, I beg you to cherish every moment of it. Too many times we focus too much on what lies ahead rather than what lies before us. For most of my junior and senior year in high school, I was focused so much on getting out of high school and going to college, rather than enjoying each day for all it was worth. And looking back, I know I could have had more fun and learned more if I knew what I know now. Each day is unique, it will never come again. So take each day and run with it, as if it is your last. Focus on the here and now, instead of worrying about the future. And most importantly, enjoy the ride.